Changwon Special City Enhances Urban Competitiveness Through Spatial Structure Innovation

Reorganizing Hinterland Cities and Quasi-Industrial Areas
Expanding BRT, Tram, and Rail Networks
Creating Cultural and Tourism Infrastructure

Changwon Special City is pursuing innovation in its spatial structure to enhance urban competitiveness and sustainability.

The core goals are to improve the utilization of hinterland cities, quasi-industrial zones, and business districts, expand transportation infrastructure, and elevate the city’s quality through the creation of cultural and tourism infrastructure.

Hong Nampyo, mayor of Changwon Special City, is declaring the restoration of the coastal value. Provided by Changwon City.

◆ Improving Urban Space Utilization

Changwon City is reorganizing its spatial structure to prepare for future demand. Through the reorganization of district unit plans for 19 districts (totaling 11.39 million square meters) in Uichang and Seongsan districts, residential areas are being upgraded, and super high-rise mixed-use spaces that integrate business, commerce, and culture are being created.

The quasi-industrial areas, especially along Changwon-daero (575,778 square meters), are also being reorganized to enhance the sustainability of the Changwon National Industrial Complex, with plans to construct super high-rise mixed-use buildings and introduce diverse business and research facilities.

For business districts, the section between Gyeongnam Provincial Government and the Gyeongnam Regional Headquarters of the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation is being redeveloped to resolve urban hollowing-out issues and to develop a compact city in line with global urban development trends.

Changwon Special City BRT Internal Road Network Maintenance. Provided by Changwon City

◆ Strengthening Urban Connectivity

To improve mobility between city centers, Changwon City is expanding various transportation infrastructure, including the second phase of BRT, trams, railways, and internal road networks. After completing the opening of the S-BRT on Wonui-daero, the BRT network will be expanded to 3.15-daero, and a plan for tram implementation will be finalized within this year, with an application for a preliminary feasibility study to follow.

Rail network expansion is also accelerating. If the Dongdaegu-Changwon high-speed railway is included in the 5th National Rail Network Construction Plan, travel time between Seoul and Changwon is expected to be shortened to 2 hours and 30 minutes. With the opening of the double-track Masan-Bujeon railway, travel between Masan and Bujeon will take only 30 to 40 minutes, and a future-oriented transfer center at Masan Station is scheduled for completion by 2028.

Expansion of internal road networks is also active. The opening of the National Road 25 bypass (Seokdong Tunnel) has reduced travel time by 20 minutes, and large-scale road projects such as the new Changwon Bukmyeon-Changnyeong Bugok national road and the expansion of National Road 79 between Changwon Dongjeong and Bukmyeon are underway.

◆ Enhancing Urban Quality

To elevate the city’s quality, Changwon City is expanding marine and inland tourism infrastructure. A marine leisure tourism hub is being established in the Jinhae Marine Park area, along with improvements to the Changwon Sea Trail and the construction of a marine leisure education and experience center. A new CIQ terminal is also planned to promote cruise tourism.

Inland, cultural facilities and tourism content are being expanded. The Democracy Hall of Korea, Jinhae Cultural Center and Library will open this year, and construction of the Changwon City Art Museum is also planned. Other major projects include the Hallyu Theme Tourism Garden in Masan Marine New City, the scenic enhancement of the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Road, and the creation of a modern museum village.

Changwon City plans to upgrade regional signature festivals such as the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival and the Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival, transforming them into stay-type tourist attractions.

Hong Nampyo, Mayor of Changwon, stated, "The area of Changwon City is larger than Seoul, but much of it is restricted for development, making it a city that requires specialized urban planning. Therefore, we must consider not only spatial efficiency to accommodate future demand but also urban connectivity, and ensure that urban quality befitting a city of one million permeates every corner. We will continue to meticulously review and boldly eliminate unnecessary regulations to create urban spaces that guarantee sustainable growth for the next 50 years."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.